Wellsprings Books Community

People often ask if it is possible to appreciate Gregorian chant without a knowledge of Latin. To the extent that beauty can speak to us beyond words, it is possible. But in order to get into the chant and marvel at its full splendour, knowing some Latin is indispensable. That is because it is in savouring the texts that one can see how the chant honours the text, as a servant his master, as we our Lord and Master.

So how does one go about the seemingly impossible task of learning Latin? Here’s an excellent free primer that teaches the Latin one needs for the liturgy:

http://www.latin-mass-society.org/simplicissimus/index.htm

A less obvious benefit of learning Latin is that it improves one’s English.

Try it for yourself!